The council leader for Windsor is demanding police use legal powers to clear the area of homeless people by 19 May. 

Coincidentally this is the date set for the royal wedding of Harry Windsor and Meghan Markle at St George’s chapel at Windsor Castle.

The councillor sites homelessness as a security risk, simultaneously conflating begging and rough sleeping.

Asking for anti-social behavioral powers to be brought into effect, in a letter to the force’s police and crime commissioner, he writes:

“Our residents, businesses and visitors rightly assume that TVP (Thames Valley Police) will take immediate action, as this is a significant security concern, especially given the national importance of Windsor.

“Obviously, the level of tourist interest is set to multiply with the royal wedding in May 2018, and there are increased concerns from our residents about their safety.

“The whole situation also presents a beautiful town in a sadly unfavourable light. As leader of the royal borough this situation is totally unacceptable to me and my fellow councillors.”

The councillor in questions name is not mentioned here, as this is not a political debate. It also actually goes against the philanthropic ethos of the couple whose wedding is being celebrated!

I'm calling for this demand on the local police force to be withdrawn, and for people who are homeless not to be removed. Instead the council and local authorities should offer a suitable long-term solution for these people, including safe and secure accommodation and health advice and support.

Please join me.

Go on, do it for Harry and Meghan! :)

In the interests of complete transparency and fairness to all parties, please find the counciller's original open letter to the TVP here.